8 May 2025 - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers encourages use of Regulatory Request System for an improved permitting experience
Last year the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers introduced its new Regulatory Request System (RRS), an online application portal that allows the public to submit permit applications and other information when requesting permission to dredge, fill or conduct activities in jurisdictional wetlands and waters of the U.S.
RRS is accessible at https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs.
RRS users can submit individual permit applications, general permit pre-construction notifications, jurisdictional determination requests, and other information needed during the permit evaluation process using easy-to-follow online submission forms. Applicants can also track the status of their requests using a user-friendly dashboard.
RRS benefits the applicant by eliminating the burden associated with the preparation and mailing of paper applications. It also reduces some of the effort associated with processing applications and data entry making the permitting process more efficient. Click here to learn more about the benefits of RRS (RRS Testimonial Video).
For more information on the USACE Regulatory Program visit https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/.
For further details or to provide feedback about the RRS, please contact USACE at rrs@usace.army.mil.
RRS FAQ
RRS Presentation
15 April 2025 - FAQ and Answers Regarding Implementation of EO 14156 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency)
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14 April 2025 - Approval of Special Emergency Processing Procedures in the States of Texas and Louisiana in accordance with 33 CFR 325.2(e)(4) and Executive Order 14156
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The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Southwestern Division has approved the Fort Worth District to use the enclosed special emergency processing procedures in the states of Texas and Louisiana in accordance with 33 CFR 325.2(e)(4) for the National Energy Emergency established by Executive Order (E.O.) 14156, which was issued on January 20, 2025 under the President’s legal authorities, including the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq) and section 301 of title 3, United States code. These special emergency processing procedures have been established pursuant to Sec. 4 of 14156 for activities associated with the identification, siting, production, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic energy sources, including energy infrastructure, that require Department of the Army authorization under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), and/or Section 103 of the Marine Research, Protection, and Sanctuaries Act (MRPSA) of 1972, as amended.
28 January 2025 - National Wetland Plant List (NWPL)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as part of an interagency effort with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, is announcing the availability of the draft changes to the 2024 NWPL and its web address to solicit public comments. The public now has the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to wetland indicator status ratings for one plant species in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain and Eastern Mountains, and Piedmont regions and one species in the Midwest and Northcentral and Northeast regions. Additionally, changes to eight species in the Alaska Region are proposed and available for public comment. The Federal Register Notice (FRN) for the 2024 NWPL update can be found here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/28/2025-01798/national-wetland-plant-list <https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/28/2025-01798/national-wetland-plant-list> . The public comment period ends on 31 March 2025.
USACE encourages public input in the form of data, comments, literature references, or field experiences, to help clarify the status of the species reviewed for this update. Comments on these proposed changes should be emailed to nwpl@usace.army.mil <mailto:nwpl@usace.army.mil> . Users are encouraged to submit literature citations, herbaria records, experiential references, monitoring data, photographic documentation, and other relevant information. Specific knowledge of, or studies related to, individual species are particularly helpful. When providing input or information on the draft changes to the 2024 NWPL update, commenters should use their regional botanical and ecological expertise, field observations, reviews of the most recent indicator status information, appropriate botanical literature, floras, herbarium specimens with notation of habitat and associated species, habit data, relevant studies, and historic list information. Providing ratings without supporting documentation or information is not recommended. All submitted comments and information will be compiled and sent to the National Panel for their review and consideration.
USACE administers the NWPL for the United States and its territories. The NWPL provides plant species indicator status ratings, which are used in determining whether the hydrophytic vegetation factor is met when conducting wetland delineations under the Clean Water Act and wetland determinations under the Wetland Conservation Provisions of the Food Security Act. Other applications of the NWPL include wetland restoration, establishment, and enhancement projects. Additions or deletions to the NWPL represent new records, range extensions, nomenclatural and taxonomic changes, and newly proposed species. The latest review process began in 2024 and included review by Regional Panels and the National Panel.
Additional information on the NWPL can be found at the NWPL website (https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/ <https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/> ), including a new video on how to use the newly redesigned site, which can be found here: https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/reference/ <https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/reference/> .
17 December 2024 - Regulatory - CESWF-25-RGP-12 (SWF-2024-00484)
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This proposed RGP if reissued, would continue to eliminate unnecessary duplication of work where the environmental consequences of an action are concluded as being individually and cumulatively minimal for the Regulatory action informed by other USACE-SWF environmental evaluations completed for USACE-SWF NEPA triggering actions. This RGP contains provisions intended to protect the environment, including natural and cultural resources. Work that does not comply with these provisions may require evaluation through the individual permit process. Work or structures that would have unacceptable impacts upon the public interest are not authorized. An RGP serves to reduce administrative procedures and expedite decisions for routine permit actions.
16 December 2024 - Notice Proposal to re-establish an agreement between the USACE, Fort Worth District Regulatory Division and the North Central Council of Governments
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This Public Notice announces the Fort Worth District’s proposal to re-establish a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to accept and expend funds contributed by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) under Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (WRDA 2000, Public Law No. 106-541), to expedite processing of their Department of the Army (DA) permit applications, subject to a series of limitations. The NCTC, a public subdivision of the State of Texas, for the purposes of this agreement would be acting by and through its Regional Transportation Council (RTC).
28 October 2024 - Notice of Availability of the Regional Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods of the Arid West, Western Mountains, and Great Plains
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On 28 October 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Albuquerque, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Worth, Galveston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Omaha, Rock Island, Sacramento, San Francisco, St. Louis, St. Paul, and Tulsa Districts, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Regions 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 jointly announce the availability of the Regional Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods (Regional SDAMs) for the Arid West, Western Mountains and Great Plains. The methods are rapid assessment tools for distinguishing between ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streamflow at the reach scale for the Arid West, Western Mountains and Great Plains regions.
25 September 2024 - Joint Public Notice CESWF-25-RGP-8 for Boat Ramps and Minor Facilities
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This public notice is to inform you of the proposed reissuance of Regional General Permit (RGP) 8 which allows the discharge of dredge and/or fill material into waters of the U.S. as well as other activities in navigable waters, a proposal for work in which you might be interested and to solicit your comments to better enable us to make a reasonable decision on factors affecting the public interest. We hope you will participate in the process.
15 May 2024 - Permit Applications Now Available in RRS
USACE is pleased to announce that the new national online application portal and management platform, known as the Regulatory Request System (RRS) now includes an electronic submission option for permit applications. This platform has been introduced to modernize our permit application process and to address our users' expectations by providing a straightforward and transparent process for the submittal of permit requests.
RRS is a web-based platform currently in a beta version that enables users to submit pre-application meeting requests, jurisdictional determination requests, and now applications for individual and general permits. This new system aims to streamline the process, improve efficiency, and provide a more user-friendly experience for our applicants.
We believe that RRS will not only benefit our users by simplifying the application process but will also enhance our ability to effectively manage and review permit requests. We are confident that this modernization initiative will lead to improved customer satisfaction and greater overall efficiency within our Regulatory Program.
We encourage users to explore and utilize the new Regulatory Request System to take advantage of its benefits and features. Visit rrs.usace.army.mil today!
For additional information on or to provide feedback on RRS, please contact us using the following email: rrs@usace.army.mil.
5 April 2024 - Notification to the Public of Changes to the District's Regulatory Program Practices Related to Requests for Stand-Alone Jurisdictional Determinations (JDs) and Delineation Concurrences
The Fort Worth District USACE has historically provided written determinations in response to all requests, even those not accompanying a permit request. However the volume of received stand-alone JDs and delineation concurrence requests have impacted our ability to effectively review permit applications and timely regulate activities in the nation’s waters, including wetlands. Based on the District’s workload and available regulatory resources, stand-alone JDs and delineation concurrences not associated with a permit request are a low priority. As such, completion of these requests may be delayed.
31 January 2024 - USACE launches new Regulatory Request System
USACE announces the launch of its new Regulatory Request System (RRS). RRS is designed to make the review of permit requests a transparent and efficient process for the public. RRS, currently in a beta version, provides general information on the Regulatory Program and allows the public to submit pre-application meeting requests and jurisdictional determination requests.
Additional capability is scheduled in Spring 2024. This added capability will allow users the ability to electronically submit individual and general permit applications and other necessary information, saving time and reducing the need for paper-based submissions.
RRS will streamline the permit application process and underscores USACE commitment to modernizing our application process, meeting user expectations, and providing a transparent, straightforward process for the timely review of permit requests.
Stay tuned for further updates on the full release of the RRS. Please click on the following link to access RRS: rrs.usace.army.mil
For additional information on or to provide feedback on RRS, please contact the rrs@usace.army.mil.
8 September 2023 - Amendment to the "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'"
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army amended the Code of Federal Regulations to conform the definition of "waters of the United States" published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2023, with the 2023 Supreme Court decision. The conforming 2023 Rule has been published in the Federal Register and is now in effect for 23 of the 27 states as shown on the Operative Definition Map of "Waters of the United States.
*It is important to note that Texas and Louisiana remain enjoined in the Southern District of Texas concerning the January 2023 Rule and that the conforming 2023 Rule does not change that. Accordingly, Fort Worth District will continue to operate under the pre-2015 Regulatory Regime until matters with the Southern District of Texas are resolved.
33 CFR Part 328 Revised Definition of "Waters of the United States"; Conforming
Special Notices Continued